One of the event's hosts, U.S. Rep. John Kline of Minnesota, has come under fire from Democrats in his home state for taking part in the event. Kline's office told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he was not scheduled to attend the fundraiser and has no plans to do so.

- Chas Sisk

10 on House committee got donations from liquor industry

Liquor store owners, distributors and the beer industry gave about $25,000 to members of the House Local Government Committee, according to campaign finance records reviewed this month by The Associated Press.

The liquor industry remained a major contributor to lawmakers' campaigns in the recent two-year election cycle, the AP found, even though House Speaker Beth Harwell reorganized the Local Government Committee and did not announce who would sit on it until shortly after the legislative session began. (Tennessee lawmakers have been barred by law from taking political contributions since then.)

Ten of the committee's 16 members received contributions from the liquor and beer industries, but it's not clear those contributions decided the outcome of Tuesday's vote on wine sales in grocery stores. Chairman Matthew Hill, who cast the decisive vote, received no contributions from the liquor industry. He said Tuesday that he refuses them.

By comparison, the political action committees for the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association and its Red, White and Food consumer campaign gave about $3,000 to committee members.

To see what each member of the committee received from the liquor industry, check out The Tennessean's In Session politics blog.

- Chas Sisk

Dread plans run for judgeship

Adam Dread, the former comedian and radio personality who served a memorable five years on the Metro Council, is eying a run for Davidson County General Sessions judge in 2014.

Dread confirmed his plans to The Tennessean after making his intentions known at the March 9 Hooligans breakfast, an annual St. Patrick Day's-themed event for politicos.

"I'll be throwing my hat in the ring," Dread said, adding that he would be pursuing an open seat and running as a Democrat.

The next round of judicial races is set for March 2014.

"It's something I've wanted to do for a long time," he said. "I've been practicing law for just about 10 years now. It's a combination of being a lawyer - there's a little bit of politics in there, too - and doing some public good at the same time."

Dread, an attorney at Durham and Dread, served on the council from 2002 to 2007. He worked as a touring comedian from 1986 through '93 before moving to Lightning 100, where he was a morning radio personality.

"Judge Dread has a good ring to it," he told The Tennessean.

- Joey Garrison

Fire Department revamp set

The changes, which were to take effect Friday, come after Lynch has been on the job about eight months and after he called on Maximus, a consulting firm, to analyze the fire department's operations. He said the department has gotten somewhat top-heavy, and Metro's recent employee buyout - which 77 department employees took - allowed for some realignment.

"What used to be a district chief may become a lower-level classification," Lynch, who was previously Metro's Public Works director, said Monday. "It's time to reduce the number of chiefs and get more people on the streets. ... Our goal is to get more and better response to the taxpayers."

- Michael Cass

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Political Notebook: Politics and politicians in Nashville, state

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais holds a fundraiser, and liquor PACs give $25,000 to state lawmakers.